Vehicle-wheel.



No. 827,494. PATENTED JULY 3l, 1906.

G. W. T. AKEHURST. VEHICLE` WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.1G, 1905.

@Vi messes Y circular chamber 3.

GEORGE W. T. AKEHURST, WHITE MARSH, MARYLAND.'

VEHICLEMWHEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application liled November '16, 1905. Serial. No. 287.637.

- Patented July s1, 1906.

wheels for vehicles, and has particular reference to that class of wheels in which a cushion or yielding support isprovided in theV wheel structure at the hub.

The object of the invention is to construct a wheel which will have all the advantages of wheels whose rims areprovided with neumatic tires, but without the liability ofP such wheels to wear and puncture.

The invention consists in the improved construction, combination, and arrangement of the parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

The accompanying drawingsillustrate the invention, in which- Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a wheel constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 illustrates a central cross section through the wheel. Fig. 3 shows an inner face view or side elevation of one of the halves of the metal head. Fig. 4 illustrates a side elevation of the central spindle-supporting block.

l Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 and 2 designate two halves of a hollow metal head which when laced together form a central circular chamv er 3. At the center these heads are provided with a laterally-projecting flange 4, which form an opening 5, through which the spindle of an axle .is to project. On the interior of the head and near the abutting circular flanges 6 thereof is an annular channel 7, and on the exterior the periphery of the head is provided with a plurality of spoke-sockets 8. The inner endsof the spokes 9 lit into the sockets 8 on the head, while the outer ends of said spokes enter a rim 10, which. may be provided with an ordinary cushion or rubber tire 11. The construction of the rim and the manner of securing the outer ends of the spokes are immaterial and may be varied to suit the purpose and the particular ve hicle on which the wheel is to be'used.

, A circular block or hub 12 has position on the interior of the head and is movable in the This block or hub is provided with a central/` perforation 13, through which the spindle 14 of the axle 15 projects and has bearing. The outer end of the spindle is provided with a nut 16, which has position within the circular Hangel 4 at the outer side of the head. A cap 17 screws into the outer circular flan e ofthe headl and covers the end of the spind e.

The block or hub 12 is provided with an annular groove or channel 18 around its periphery which confronts the annular channel 7 on the interior of the head, and a pneumatic tube or ring 19 hasposition in said channels and extends around the block or hub 12.

It will thus be seen that the spindle has bearing in the block or hub 12 and that the latter is inclsed by the head and rests on the pneumatic tube or ring l19. In order to provide for the vertically-yielding movement of the hub within the head, I provide the hub with a plurality ofl circular openings 20, which are yarranged radially with res ect to the central perforation 13, and throng i these openin s the bolts 21, securing the two halves o' the ead, extend. As the cross-sectional size of each of 'these bolts is much smaller than the hub-openings 20, it will be seen the hub may move. In order to permit the two halves of the head to be drawn ti htly together without bindin on the'sides el the block or hub, I place a s eeve or tube 22 around each bolt and make these sleeves of a length slightly longer than the width of the block or hub, so they will project at each side of the hub and contact with the inner surface of the two members forming the head. By this arrangement the head members may be securely bolted together without binding against the side of the hub, and thus the hub may move freely in the circular chamber 3, so as' to bring the weight of the vehicle on the pneu-- matic tube 15.

The spoke-sockets 8 are formed in halves like the head and when together form the complete socket. The inner ends 'of the spokes are inserted in the sockets, and a bolt 23 is passed through cach socket and also through the spoke and serves to hold the s oke in place and at the samel tim(` secure t e head members together Ilaving thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by lietters Patcnt,'is-

The herein-described vehicle-wheel having two circular plates with circumferential abutting flanges, l6, on the rim edge of which are IOO a pneumatic ring-tube seated in the said l1ubsockets 'for the ends of spokes, said plates at Within the ereumferential channel of the said. I'o their central part being spaced from each hub. 1 other and forming a, chamber 0f uniform In testimony whereof I ax my signetuxe width; a hub in said chamber of uniform in presence of two Witnessee.

Width and having a. circumferential channel; GEORGE W. T AKEHURST- Witnesses:

CHARLES B. MANN, El FELIX R SULLIVAN channel and bearing against the two circular plates directly inside of the spoke-sockets, and bolts oonneeting the -tWO plates at points- 

